What can I do to help my child develop a healthy body image?

Talk to your child/youth to help them (and you) understand their concerns about their body and how they feel about themselves.

Listen to the comments your child/youth makes and use these opportunities to discuss their body image. Tune in to remarks they may say like "I feel fat in these pants"

Encourage your child/youth to express his/her feelings

Share your feelings by telling your child/youth you remember going through the same changes and know how scary it can be

Give positive feedback. Reassure your child/youth that the physical changes they are experiencing are normal.

Focus on Strengths - help your child/youth focus on their strengths, abilities and unique qualities rather than on their bodies' shape and size. Talk about his/her positive qualities.

Help your child/youth develop interests beyond physical appearance - Help your child/youth develop interests and skills, which will lead to success, personal expression, and fulfilment without emphasis on appearance.

Talk about popular culture and its myths. Talk about the body image myths portrayed in the media such as beautiful, thin women smoking or winners wearing special athletic shoes.

Teach positive self-talk, not negative putdowns.

Avoid negative statements about your own body.

Educate yourself and your children about the genetic basis of differences in body shapes and sizes.

Look at pictures of relatives and help your child imagine what they should look like.